Patents by Inventor Charles A. Nichols

Charles A. Nichols has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230030665
    Abstract: A portable container and container assembly provides a durable, functional and simple carry-all solution for dry and wet provisions, goods and gear. Exemplary features of various embodiments include one or more of an overmolded pad on the bottom of the container, a removable handle incorporating a releasable retaining structure, a lid that seals within the container cavity and is flush with the outer periphery of the container sidewall and/or has a cellular internal reinforcing structure, a skirt extending around the sidewall that is integral with handle mounts for the handle and/or provides a connection point for external components, and a drop-in tray with a collapsible handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Roy Joseph Seiders, Andy Bondhus, Steve Charles Nichols, Dennis Zuck, Andrew M. Bosway
  • Publication number: 20220397377
    Abstract: Frangible firearm projectiles, firearm cartridges, and methods for forming the same. The projectiles are formed from metal powder and include an anti-sparking agent. One or more of iron, zinc, bismuth, tin, copper, nickel, tungsten, boron, and/or alloys thereof may form the metal powder. The projectiles may be formed from a compacted mixture of two or more different metal powders. The anti-sparking agent may include a borate, such as boric acid, zinc chloride, and/or petrolatum. The anti-sparking agent may be dispersed within, and/or applied as a coating on, the exterior of the projectile. The compacted mixture may be heat treated for a time sufficient to form a plurality of discrete alloy domains within the compacted mixture. Such domains may be formed by a mechanism that includes vapor-phase diffusion bonding and oxidation of the metal powders and that does form a liquid phase of the metal powder or utilize a polymeric binder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph Franklin Morse, Ralph Nauman, Robert Charles Nichols
  • Patent number: 11524833
    Abstract: An insulating container can be configured to retain a volume of liquid, and include a canister having a first inner wall having a first end having an opening extending into an internal reservoir, and a second outer wall forming an outer shell. The opening can be sealed by a spout adapter, the spout adapter having a spout channel extending between the internal reservoir and a spout opening, smaller than the opening of the canister. The spout opening may be sealed with a cap having a magnetic top surface, and the spout adapter may be further removably coupled to a lid that may be used as a cup into which a volume of the liquid can be poured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: John Alan Tolman, Steve Charles Nichols, Edward Abante
  • Patent number: 11517086
    Abstract: A suitcase having a base and a lid where the lid may be rotatable about a hinge from a closed configuration to an open configuration and may be secured, via one or more latching assemblies is disclosed. The lid may comprise an upper shell, and the base may comprise a lower shell. The upper shell and the lower shell may be seamlessly formed to create a water resistant and/or waterproof suitcase. The suitcase may have an extendable trolley handle assembly that is externally attached to the base of the suitcase. The trolley handle assembly may comprise a pair of extrusion assemblies that are connected to the base of the suitcase and connected to each other by a grip. The suitcase may also have a removably secured interior liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Charles Nichols, Andy Bondhus, Michael Christopher Cieszko, Nicholas James Lombardi, Kyle Edward Rogers, Dustin Bullock
  • Patent number: 11503932
    Abstract: An insulating container can be configured to retain a volume of liquid, and include a canister having a first inner wall having a first end having an opening extending into an internal reservoir, and a second outer wall forming an outer shell. The opening can be sealed by a spout adapter, the spout adapter having an internal passageway extending between the internal reservoir and a spout opening, which may be smaller than the opening of the canister. The spout opening may be sealed with an upper cap that has a magnetic top surface. The upper cap may be selectively coupled to seal the spout opening, or may be magnetically coupled to a magnetic docking surface of a docking structure on the spout adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Charles Nichols, Evan Goldberg, Edward Abante
  • Patent number: 11492184
    Abstract: An example lid assembly can include a lid and a slider. The lid can include a wall defining a recess. The slider can be configured to slide in the recess and can be configured to move between a closed position where the slider covers the opening to aid in preventing spilling of contents of the container and an opened position where the slider uncovers the opening such that the contents of the container can be consumed. The slider can be configured to be removable from the lid and can be replaced back on the lid. Additionally, the slider can be configured to lock into place on the recess in both the closed position and the opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Joseph Seiders, John Alan Tolman, Steve Charles Nichols
  • Publication number: 20220331676
    Abstract: A cornhole board assembly is disclosed that may have a base and a removable and/or interchangeable playing board. The base may be formed from metallic materials while the playing board may be formed from primarily non-metallic materials. The cornhole board assembly may include damping elements arranged between the base and the playing board. Depending on the playing board attached, the cornhole board assembly may have different playing characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventor: Steve Charles Nichols
  • Patent number: 11464305
    Abstract: A suitcase having a base and a lid where the lid may be rotatable about a hinge from a closed configuration to an open configuration and may be secured, via one or more latching assemblies is disclosed. The lid may comprise an upper shell, and the base may comprise a lower shell. The upper shell and the lower shell may be seamlessly formed to create a water resistant and/or waterproof suitcase. The suitcase may have an extendable trolley handle assembly that is externally attached to the base of the suitcase. The trolley handle assembly may comprise a pair of extrusion assemblies that are connected to the base of the suitcase and connected to each other by a grip. The suitcase may also have a removably secured interior liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Charles Nichols, Andy Bondhus, Michael Christopher Cieszko, Nicholas James Lombardi, Kyle Edward Rogers, Dustin Bullock
  • Patent number: 11453526
    Abstract: A portable container and container assembly provides a durable, functional and simple carry-all solution for dry and wet provisions, goods and gear. Exemplary features of various embodiments include one or more of an overmolded pad on the bottom of the container, a removable handle incorporating a releasable retaining structure, a lid that seals within the container cavity and is flush with the outer periphery of the container sidewall and/or has a cellular internal reinforcing structure, a skirt extending around the sidewall that is integral with handle mounts for the handle and/or provides a connection point for external components, and a drop-in tray with a collapsible handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Joseph Seiders, Andy Bondhus, Steve Charles Nichols, Dennis Zuck, Andrew M. Bosway
  • Patent number: 11420798
    Abstract: An example lid assembly can include a lid and a slider. The lid can include a wall defining a recess. The slider can be configured to slide in the recess and can be configured to move between a closed position where the slider covers the opening to aid in preventing spilling of contents of the container and an opened position where the slider uncovers the opening such that the contents of the container can be consumed. The slider can be configured to be removable from the lid and can be replaced back on the lid. Additionally, the slider can be configured to lock into place on the recess in both the closed position and the opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Joseph Seiders, John Alan Tolman, Steve Charles Nichols
  • Patent number: D960656
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Charles Nichols, Andy Bondhus, Tobias Hotchkiss, Mark Carlson Rane, John Loudenslager, Derek G. Sullivan
  • Jug
    Patent number: D960660
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Joseph Seiders, John Alan Tolman, Steve Charles Nichols
  • Patent number: D960661
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Joseph Seiders, Matthew Joseph Petrillo, Steve Charles Nichols
  • Patent number: D961261
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Charles Nichols, Kyle Edward Rogers, Derek G. Sullivan
  • Patent number: D961926
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Charles Nichols, Andy Bondhus, Michael Christopher Cieszko, Nicholas James Lombardi, Dustin Bullock
  • Patent number: D962010
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Charles Nichols, Andy Bondhus, Tobias Hotchkiss, Mark Carlson Rane, John Loudenslager, Derek G. Sullivan
  • Patent number: D963344
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Charles Nichols, Andy Bondhus, Michael Christopher Cieszko, Nicholas James Lombardi, Dustin Bullock
  • Patent number: D965390
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Joseph Seiders, James William Sonntag, Christopher M. Keller, Steve Charles Nichols
  • Patent number: D969489
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Derek G. Sullivan, Steve Charles Nichols, Christopher Kalck
  • Patent number: D970216
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Derek G. Sullivan, Steve Charles Nichols, Christopher Kalck